Tuesday, November 14, 2017

A woman's body is prone to iron & calcium deficiency which lead to serious health hazards later. Iron deficiency, especially after child birth, complicates lot of things. Failing to compensate the low levels may lead to hair fall, brittle nails, fatigue, paleness in skin and much more. Anemic women face trouble in keeping energy levels intact which adversely effects their social, economic status. Why wait for the consequence to take a toll when little changes in food habits can do the job? In association with livogen.in, here is an attempt to create iron rich recipes for women and help fight anemia.

I love having poha for breakfast and keep giving twists to it for interesting recipes. Hereby, presenting tikki or cutlets made with poha, beetroot and potatoes.

Health goodnessBeaten rice or rice flakes, also called poha is a rich source of iron. Every 100 grams of raw rice flakes has 20 milligrams of iron besides a good value of carbs and minerals. Experts suggest that regular consumption of flattened rice can prevent iron deficiency and form hemoglobin that carries oxygen to blood cells. Beetroots are also iron rich and proven extremely beneficial in case of anemia or low hemoglobin..

Ingredients

Poha- 2 cups

Potatoes- 3-4

Beetroot-1 medium size

Salt to taste

Green chili- Optional- 1-2

Black pepper- Half tea spoon

Coriander powder- 1 teaspoon

Cooking oil- 3-4 tablespoons

Method

Soak poha in water for 10 minutes. Drain water. Keep aside. Make sure all water is drained out from poha.

Boil potatoes. Peel and mash them.

Peel and grate beetroot. Keep aside.

In a large bowl mix the mashed potatoes, soaked poha and grated beetroot. Bind them together to make dough. Add salt as per taste. Mix black pepper and coriander powder. Churn the dough well.

Make little round shapes from the dough, pressing them gently to flatten them.

In a pan, heat oil and shallow fry the cutlets.

Flip and fry till the pink tikkis turn brownish on both sides.

Tip: Flame should be kept low to medium. Potatoes give cutlets a binding texture and body. Do not over-boil potatoes. Since beetroot is used raw in the dough, it will give crunchiness to cutlet. You can add onions to the tikkis if you like. I wanted to keep it quick and simple, hence skipped it.

Saturday, November 11, 2017

Come winter and the market gets flooded with green veggies. Spinach suddenly rules the Indian kitchens. But who really wants to eat palak saag or palak paneer every day? So, I put on my thinking cap and dished out chickpea spinach & egg spread for a winter morning. Keeping the fact in mind that iron is one of the most important elements for women's body, Livogen.in's iron chef inspires me to make an innovative recipe fortified with iron.

Health goodness

100 g of besan or gram flour contains 34 iron, 68% dietary fiber and good amount of vitamins. Spinach is undoubtedly a rich source of iron, magnesium, dietary fiber and zinc while egg stands out with iron, protein and Vitamin D.

Sunday, November 5, 2017

Ubud, the cultural town of Bali is a center for traditional
art and tradition. Surrounded with rain forests and rice paddies, the place is a
haven for art lovers and nature enthusiasts. Bali tour is incomplete without
visiting Ubud. Here are the 5 best things to do and see when you are in Ubud.

1. Ubud Palace

Once the residence of the royal family,
Ubud Palace is now a tourist attraction in Bali. The palace showcases the arte facts
of the kingdom and spaces which were used for prayer or meetings.

Several portions of the place are not accessible to public for religious
reasons. The premise has the royal
throne on display which is the most noticeable thing. What gets your attention
is the intricate carving on the doors. Visitors are not allowed to cross the
threshold of the door, leaving you wondering what’s behind those doors? In an
opportune moment, one of the doors swung open and revealed a statue of goddess
Saraswati . It was truly divine!

When the door flung open and reveled the idol of goddess Saraswati

Dotted with colorful garden and well-built
pathways, the Royal Palace lets you peek-a-boo into the glorious relics from
the past.

Location-Ubud
Market, 15 minutes walk from monkey forest

Entry-Free

Time
spent- The place is small, so you can spend thirty minutes at the max
here.

Parking-
You can park your bike in the market. They charge around 2000-3000 IDR. If you
are lucky, you may find a free parking spot.

Dress
code- None.

2. Sacred Monkey Forest

This dense forest dedicated to the monkey
god would leave you with deep respect for Indonesian culture. Imagine an entire
forest for the monkeys! Inspired from the ancient culture and Ramayana epic,
Balinese declared the 12.5 hectares forest land sacred and protected.

You not
only get to see a large number of primates in the forest but also ancient
temples and magnificent structures that marvel you. The monkeys are harmless,
and friendly most of the times. In case a primate crawls onto your back, give
it a banana treat. Should any of these threaten you or turn notorious, the forest
guards are there to help you. The lush greenery, lovely architectural
structures and huge variety of flora silently make your senses happy. Fill your
lungs with oxygen, walk and burn our calories and have fun in the sacred forest
in Ubud.

Balinese culture oozes of art and beauty.
The colorful market dazzling with Balinese art would surely delight your senses. From
old paintings to hand made home décor, the art market is nothing short of a
heavenly experience. The rich culture and beautiful tradition embedded in the
hearts of the residents’ uplifts your mood, cajoling you to buy something and
cherish the memento. Dotted with uptown cafes, restaurants and
resorts, the art market would paint a picture of a modern yet peaceful place from somewhere in the lanes of Europe or Goa. Before you reach Ubud, the refreshing
rice paddies on the way give you various photo opportunities.

Vegetarian food is so rare to find in Bali,
forget about vegan. So, when we passed by Veggie Table, a vegan restaurant with unlimited buffet, it immediately caught our fancy and we dashed in without
wasting a single minute. Soft Hindi music greeted our ears, taking us by surprise. The staff told us about the owner's love for Indian culture and his influence on on the cuisine which he curated to cater to Indian taste buds. Do give Veggie Table a try for simple yet delicious and filling vegan lunch.

Location-
In the heart of Ubud, barely 10 minutes from Monkey Forest

Entry-Free

Time
spent- You can spend the whole day without restriction. If you are staying
in Ubud, there is nothing like it.

Parking-
2000-3000 IDR. If you are lucky enough,
you can find a free parking spot. Just keep your eyes open.

Dress
code- None

4.Goa Gajah

People also call this place “mini monkey
forest”. Honestly, both places have no comparison. The star attraction in Goa
Gajah is the 9th century elephant cave, housing Ganesha and Shiva
idols. The ancient cave temple has dark interiors with simple and bare minimum
decoration. It’s the grand entrance with demon and god carvings that attracts tourists for photos. Often wrongly perceived as a dwelling place for elephants, Goa Gajah made it to the UNESCO
world heritage site in the late 90’s. Apart from the cave, the whole area has several small temples, royal thrones, sacred bathing tanks, Buddha temple, beautiful
gardens, holy monk cemetery, gorgeous waterfall and tiny art shops. It is a
visual treat to be in this place.

You cannot afford to wear heels or tight shoes as you need to walk a lot in Goa Gajah. Explore the well maintained site
flanked by sacred places throughout the forest and feel at peace.

Dress
code- None. A sarong is compulsory
if your bare legs show. Sarong is provided at the entry counter.

5.Pura Taman Saraswati Temple

Courtesy: commons.wikimedia.org

You cannot afford to miss this beautiful
water temple in central Ubud. Boasting of lotus filled ponds and classic architecture,
Pura Taman Temple is dedicated to the goddess of arts and knowledge, Saraswati. This is great stopover through the town of Ubud.
The large premises and amphitheatre gets your attention immediately. From the
moment of seeing the temple to entering the site, fills you with a sense of
calm and tranquility. At night, the temple is a prevalent location for cultural
performances. There are regular dance performances in the evening, except
Friday, at cost 80000 IDR. Pura Taman
Saraswati Temple is a prominent landmark which you would cross on the way to
Monkey Forest in Ubud. The beauty is awe-inspiring.

Courtesy: commons.wikimedia.org

Location-
Jl. Kajeng, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali

Entry-Free

Time
spent- 30 minutes

Parking-
Free

Dress
code- Cover your legs with sarong which is given to you at the entrance.

Friday, September 22, 2017

With the record of being the most photographed and the most
photogenic temple in Bali, Tanah Lot stands tall and firm on the black rocks
since the 16th century. Literally translating into “Land in the sea”,
Tanah Lot is said to be a work of Dang Hyang Nirartha, a Hindu traveler and a
religious figure in Bali.

This is one of the seven sea temples around the
Balinese coast dedicated to the sea gods.

The large offshore rock has been shaped by the sea waves continuously
for years. Resulting this, the temple's face rock started to wear out, posing danger
to the surrounding and inside potions of Tanah Lot. The Japanese Government in
1980 helped in conservation of the temple and offered an aid of $130 million for its restoration . The exposed areas were restored and
parts of the rock temple are artificial installations, unknown to the public.

Like all other temples, public entry is restricted inside the temple. Visitors can roam around the temple premises and the temple cave. Tanah Lot offers magnificent view of sunset and the surrounding enormous ocean that washes the rocky banks with full might. The holy snake housed in the cave at the foot of the
temple is said to be guard Tanah Lot from evil spirits. Seeing the snake is said to bring
good luck. Well, you can see and touch it by buying a ticket at 50k IDR which they term as"donation".

Cave of the lucky snake

I made it to the Tanah Lot around 5:30 pm, just before
sunset. You need to enter through the market place, passing by the colorful souvenir
shops. Suddenly the street echoed with soothing music and got crowded with people dressed
in traditional attire, carrying a palanquin or paalki. I instantly
felt a divine connection while witnessing the procession.

The market street in evening

The long distance that we traveled and spent lavishly on refilling our scooter's petrol were worth the pain . The gorgeous sunset, the magnificent temple and the traditional procession were visual treats. Post sun down, the market street started to bear a deserted look. We made a pit stop at an eating joint to have an early dinner, since we had famished. My growling tummy gave up and I refused to budge without eating. So much for skipping lunch!

Bali is non vegetarian food haven. For the veg eating mortals, noodles is the safest option. We had a wholesome meal at Naty's with veg noodles topped with egg, crispy fries and banana shake. A smiling courteous staff, great food and relaxed ambiance makes Naty's a "must try" in Tanah Lot.
With beautiful memories and full appetite, we rode back to our hotel, passing through the rice fields and crowded streets.

Though wearing a sarong is practiced at the premises, we did not see anybody sport it. Neither we were asked to tie one. I am assuming they ask to do that during the worship/puja time.

Advisable- Be dressed in breathable comfortable clothes, since the weather is humid and hot during the day. Carry water with you and be prepared for a long ride to and fro. The roads are literally jam packed in the evening. Be patient, do not honk or shout when stuck in traffic in the narrow lanes. It is a common sight and locals are used to this chaos. All you can do it wait for the traffic to clear.

Location- 20 km from Denpasar.

To reach- Hire bike
/scooter or taxi.

Best time
to visit- Evening. Reach after 4:30 pm to view the sunset and the
religious procession leaving from the temple.

Entry Fees-
60,000 IDR

Entry to
the cave of snake- 20,000IDR PS. My trip to Bali was in August 2017

Thursday, September 14, 2017

Often food and lifestyle define you and your personality.
Eating right and at the right time has been the secret of good health. While
there are several things you are advised to refrain from post meals, there are
various other things you should also refrain from on empty stomach. Surprised?
Don’t be. We will tell you what not to do on empty stomach so that you remain
in good state of health and avert unwanted consequences.

1.Drinking coffee/tea on empty stomach? Think
again

Addiction to bed tea or coffee shot for
energy is not new but you need to stop doing that right away. Coffee is high on
caffeine which if taken empty stomach causes heartburn and severe digestive
problems. Consumed over a longer duration may lead to stomach ulcers, acid
reflux or irritable bowel movement. The same goes for tea that erodes the
lining of intestines and causes acidity and indigestion. In case you cannot do
without your morning beverage, have breakfast along, add creamer to coffee or
replace your normal tea with green tea.

2.Never take medicines if you haven’t eaten
anything

This piece of advice has been passed on
through many generations. Apart from the pills recommended on empty stomach,
all others are advised to be consumed only after eating something. This is
because empty stomach lining is exposed to reactions from medicines that cause
nausea, constipation, vomiting and intestinal bleeding besides reducing the
effect of the medicines. To reduce the negative effects of pills on empty
stomach, you can replace water with milk.

3.No food in stomach? Skip spicy foodSpices are good for metabolism but certainly
not good until you have something in your tummy. Spices, especially chillies
are pungent in nature which trigger indigestion and upset the stomach lining.
It is hence important to mix something with spices to avoid such reactions.
Perhaps something like bread can be consumed along.4.Alcohol is a big NO-NO

Haven’t we all seen people binging while
boozing? Well, that’s because alcohol should NEVER be taken if you are empty
stomach even if your last meal was three hours ago. One simple reason behind
the same is that alcohol absorption rate in your body will be high and at the
same time the breakdown of alcohol will be even slower. This takes a toll on
your liver, heart, kidneys and needless to mention, a major hangover that
follows. Advisable to eat and layer your stomach before you booze.

5.Don’t go shopping on empty stomach

Hungry body is low on energy and glucose.
To replenish it, your body demands food, especially sweets or those high on
calories. Since your ability to concentrate and making decisions gets
negatively impacted, you end up buying unhealthy food or junk that would
instantly satisfy your hunger. Because the need of your stomach gets converted
to stress, your brain sends wrong signals to your body leading to an overload
of unwanted items in your cart, even in non food stores.

6.Intense workout

The need for those flat abs and toned
muscles make you work harder on your body. But have you been working out on
empty stomach in morning or evening? That’s all wrong! Your body starts running
low on energy during workout and lowers your performance. Also, working out
hungry may cause loss of muscle instead of fat. The logic is low glycogen
levels which burns muscles if you demand too much from your body while
exercising. You hence need to fuel yourself before hitting the gym. Banana or
fibrous salads are the most recommended foods before you work out.

7.Avoid citrus fruits or juices

Ah, we know how a warm glass of lemon and
honey in morning has been treated as a mantra to lose belly fat. Little did you
all know that lemon will not harm your stomach since it is diluted in water.
Citrus fruits should be avoided when you haven’t eaten, since fiber and
fructose slow down your digestion, irritate stomach and cause acidity. Just
like lemon, you can dilute the fruits in water to reduce the acidic level or
else totally avoid till you eat something.8.Never sleep empty stomach

Did you know that low glucose prevents from
us from sleeping and lack of sleep triggers your hunger? Hence the next day you
end up hogging more, because of increased hunger hormones. That’s one reason
you should never sleep hungry. Secondly, it causes mood swings and stress. Good
enough reason for you to not skip meals now? An alternative to eating is
consuming milk with honey that keeps you full and helps you sleep better.

9.Say no to chewing gums

Can something as simple as chewing gums on
empty gut, adversely affect your body? Yes, it can! Always remember, empty
stomach is prone to attack on the soft stomach lining. When you chew gums, the
digestive juices produced with saliva creates an acidic effect on stomach
lining leading to gastritis. The sweetening effects of gum effects your food
habits and leads to addiction of junk, instead of natural healthy food.
Hence, it is advisable to chew gums for
not more than 10 minutes even if you are full.

10.Dodge raw
vegetables

Yes agreed, one should eat healthy and salads or raw
vegetables are good source of vitamins. We know diet conscious ones often do
that. We are sorry, you would be surprised that you had been doing that wrong.
Consuming raw veggies on empty stomach causes an overload of coarse fiber which
causes abdominal pain and accumulation of gas in intestines.

We hope the above tips proves to
be useful and helps you to be healthy. In a busy and hectic lifestyle, we tend
to ignore these little things that eventually harm our body in the long run.
All you need is a little bit of precaution and willingness.

Monday, September 11, 2017

A shapely sexy figure and flat abs is a dream that every girl sees. They work out, give up junk and follow healthy diet. Do all girls do that? No, they don’t. In an attempt to lose weight or inches quickly, often many people are seen fasting. Little did they know that skipping meals is no time saver and can pose bigger problems than they imagined. When skipping meals becomes a habit or a part of a dieting plan, it has serious long-term implications on the body like development of some chronic conditions or even gaining weight instead of losing.

Here are scary things that might happen if you skip meals regularly:

Low glucose level: Your blood glucose level rise after meals. It remains constant if you don’t exercise (hence recommended to work out if you want to control the level). A long gap of fasting causes your blood glucose level to fall, leaving you feel sleepy, tired and exhausted. Mind you, glucose is the source of energy for blood.

Low metabolism: Low glucose means low metabolism. Its simple. A low metabolism leads to dip in energy, imbalance in body and metal activity and improper eating patterns as you tend to eat more the next time.

Poor performance. As scary as low metabolism sounds, equally scary is poor performance. Not only you become physically slow but also mentally you are unable to concentrate and make quick decisions. Hampers your professional and personal life majorly!

Overweight: Those who skip meals to reduce weight, rather tend to gain weight. If you eat less number of times you typically should, your brain signals you to eat more when you get food loading your body with calories which are not required at that moment. This leads to slow digestion and bloating of stomach. Ouch!

May lead to diabetes or excess calories: Ignoring the hunger pangs of your body will drain all glucose of your body leading to low level of energy and high stress. It’s your body’s natural tendency to hog sweets or junk food to replenish the loss of glucose. This also happens when stress level is hgh. So, this leads to excess of sugar or calories in your blood. So much for skipping meals yeah?

Acidity: You may experience acid reflux or nausea if your stomach is empty for too long. An old long habit of staying hungry may cause heartburn, acidity or dry cough. Skipping meals gets scarier hence.

Brain drain. The brain’s exclusive fuel, glucose, is compromised within four to six hours if you have not eaten. That’s because the glucose stored in the liver as glycogen, runs out during this time period. The liver is like a traffic cop for blood sugar. When blood glucose dips too low, the liver converts glycogen into glucose and releases it into the blood. But if its glycogen has been depleted, the body turns to less efficient fuelling methods resulting which you start to feel anxiety, depression, have mood swings or always hungry.

Bad breath: Your tongue produces saliva as you chew food. Long breaks of skipping meals make your tongue dry and create a breeding ground for bacteria, hence causing bad breath. Remember, the same happens when you fall ill?

Few tips to stay healthy and lose weight without skipping meals.

Eat small frequent meals instead of one large meal. Recommended to eat in an interval of every 2-3 hours

Include fruits, veggies and whole grains in your food. Chuck junk for good. Replace refined/processed sweets with natural sweeteners like dates or fruits.

Water intake should be 8-10 glasses every day.

Drink water before meals, not during meals. Avoid drinking water immediately after meals.

Exercise daily for atleast 30 minutes. Hitting the gym is not possible we understand. So go for brisk walk, ditch the elevators and take stairs or exercise indoors.